DeLand, FL – Volusia County Schools Superintendent Tom Russell could be on the way out. School Board District 5 Member Ruben Colon, on the Bennet & Bernier Show this morning (May 15), said that the Board was not getting all the information on a Department of Justice investigation from Russell.

Colon said that the Board has very vague details on what the investigation is about but said he knows part of the investigation required the records of children on the autism spectrum and teacher interviews.

During yesterday’s (May 14) regular meeting, the Board voted 4-1 to find out more about an early exit for Russell. Colon said that Russell’s contract was extended last year by a 3-2 vote for one year, just two weeks before the November election, which brought in two new members, Colon and Jamie Haynes. Colon said if that extension had not happened, Russell’s contract would have been up this year.

Colon said that Russell was a great principal and area superintendent and that he stepped up when asked to fill in as interim superintendent and then when he was asked to take the position permanently. Colon said everyone likes Russell, including himself. He’d like to see him stay with the School Board but in a different capacity.

The vote during yesterday’s meeting was to start the process of exploring an exit package for Russell. Before the next meeting, scheduled of May 28 at 5:30 p.m., Russell, Board Chairman Carl Persis and School Board Attorney Ted Doran, will be negotiating an early end to Russell’s contract.

During the next meeting, scheduled for May 28 at 5:30 p.m., the board is expected to vote to accept or reject the terms negotiated for Russell. Colon said that folks will have the opporutunity to speak and weigh in on the decision that the Board will be making.

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